Monday, February 23, 2009

Part of my religious beliefs include a thing called the "Word of Wisdom". The WOW talks about abstaining from alcohol, coffee, tea and tobacco. But it doesn't only say what we SHOULDN'T consume. It also talks about what we SHOULD consume. It is so easy to only focus on what we do not consume and we think we are keepers of the WOW. I truly believe we should focus much more on the do's. Intention is not action.

So what does is say about what we should eat? Whole grains. And guess what people, whole grains aren't just for bread or pasta. There are so many delicious grains out there that you really should tap into, whether you follow the Word of Wisdom or not. It is inspiring to think that the good Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom long before we knew of the benefits of whole grains. What today's dietitians say is healthy is what was prophesied long ago from a loving God. Whole grains, less meat, lots of vegetables and fruit, no alcohol or tobacco. Hmmm. See? God does care about us.

Put the bulgur in a large bowl and pour in the hot water. Cover with a dish or plastic wrap and let stand for about 30 to 45 minutes to rehydrate. Drain in a strainer, pressing with the back of a wooden spoon to squeeze out as much water as possible.

In a mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, onions, cucumber, parsley, and mint. Toss the salad well to incorporate the ingredients. Add cumin and season with salt and pepper. Add the bulgur, lemon juice and olive oil. Fold everything together to incorporate the ingredients. The flavor will improve if the tabbouleh sits for a few hours. Serve at room temperature.